Gynecologic Cancer

Research interests in this area are focused on ovarian cancer, chemotherapy resistance, clinical trials for gynecological cancers, and HPV and the development of cervical dysplasia or cancer. In addition, there is ongoing clinical research focused on epidemiologic evaluation of gynecologic cancers. Specific areas of interest include ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancer, as well as the perioperative care of women with gynecologic disease. There is also ongoing basic science research focused on the role of novel angiogenic pathways in the development and progression of gynecologic cancers.

Faculty in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology are members of the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) which is a National Cancer Institute Cooperative Cancer Research Group with the purpose of promoting excellence in the quality and integrity of clinical and basic scientific research in the field of gynecologic malignancies. Research performed by this group is focused on women with pelvic malignancies, such as cancer of the ovary, uterus, and cervix. Over 50 principal centers and 160 affiliate institutions participate in the GOG. Columbia is currently an affiliate of Washington University, St. Louis.

The division has many ongoing industry-sponsored or investigator-initiated investigations, as well as a host of retrospective analysis including:

  1. A pilot phase II study evaluating the combination of oxaliplatin and docetaxel with bevacizumab as first line therapy in patients with FIGO stage IB-IV epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal or fallopian tube carcinoma
  2. An open label multi-center randomized phase III study comparing the combination of Doxil/Caelyx and Yondelis with Doxil/Caelyx alone in subjects with advanced relapsed ovarian cancer
  3. A phase II, multicenter, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial of carboplatin and gemcitabine plus bevacizumab in patients with platinum sensitive recurrent ovary, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube carcinoma
  4. “Therapeutic Targeting of Follice Stimulating Hormone in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer” funded by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation
  5. “Notch as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker in Ovarian Cancer” funded by the Gynecologic Oncology Group Young Investigator’s Award; and many other ongoing projects.

The division participates in the nationally-recognized, interdisciplinary research, education, and patient care programs supported by the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) to advance research and training to discover the best approaches for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Columbia’s College of Physicians & Surgeons is the only major medical school in New York City designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, and has maintained this highest level of designation for nearly 40 years.

Faculty Active in this Area